FOOTHILLS

Falcon

Coach: Brian Green and Terry Poirier

2014 record: 8-5

Key players: Ty Murphy, sr., QB; Matt Bastian, sr., RB; Christian Patterson, sr., OL; Caleb Sheets, sr., OL; Ben Kaplan, sr., OL; Lane Farris, Sr. OL; Chandler Siggers, sr., DE; John Lynch, sr., LB; Luke Parson, sr., FS; Cameron Grause, sr., WR; Jalen Hernandez, jr., WR; Marciano Martinez, sr., DL; Collin Kamp, jr., DE.

What to know: The Falcons return a potent offense that includes dual-threat quarterback Murphy and running back Bastian, both of whom were named second-team all-conference last season. They helped lead the Falcons to the 4A semifinals last season where they lost to Pine Creek 34-14. This year, they’ll start with the Eagles on Sept. 4.

Mesa Ridge

Coach: Rob Braaten

2014 record: 2-8

Key players: Onyx Rowland, jr., OL/DL; Nic Braaten, sr., QB/DL; Jarin Donaldson, sr., WR/DB; Dominick Fletcher, sr., RB/LB; Jesse Feiloakitau, sr., OL/DL; Ricky Shegog, sr., WR/DB.

What to know: The defensive and offensive lines should be the strength of the Grizzlies in 2015. Quarterback Nic Braaten, meanwhile, should improve upon his junior season where he threw six touchdowns to nine interceptions.

Sand Creek

Coach: Rod Baker

2014 record: 2-8

Key players: Gentry Gortner, sr., LB; Frankie Stowers, sr., DE; Payton LeDoux, DE/WR; Nathan Mooney, SB/QB; Chance Krizan, sr., DB/QB; Erick Shanks, sr. OT; Jacob Guarnere, sr. C; Devin Barnard, sr., OT; Avery English, sr., WR; Damon Murdock, so., QB; Jaleel Quin, sr., DE.

What to know: The Scorpions return seven starters on offense and seven starters on defense. Gortner comes back after leading the team with 125 tackles last season, as does English, who led the team with 28 receptions and 448 receiving yards.

Vista Ridge

Coach: Jerimi Calip

2014 record: 7-4

Key players: Elway Tubbs, sr., QB; Breon Michel, WR/DB/KR/PR; Louie Quinones, sr., RB; Emmanuel Walker, sr., OLB; Josh Coppock, sr., TE; Robert Fernandez, sr., WR; Marquez Trunnell, jr., WR; Doniaj Smelker, sr., WR/DB; Reed Rowan, sr.

What to know: If they can stay healthy, the Wolves should dive deep into the Class 4A playoffs. They’ll have back Michel, for one, who should be among the area’s best receivers. The 6-foot-5 senior suffered a season-ending injury last season, but showed off elite talent at different 7-on-7 tournaments over the summer. They’ll also have back Rowan, who was the anchor of the team’s defense before he was injured in a game against Pine Creek.

Widefield

Coach: Brent Cottrell

2014 record: 6-4

Key players: Steven Starke, sr., QB; Sam Reed, so., OL; Shaun Skinner, jr., OL; Matt Lucero, sr., OL; Tyler Riggs, sr., OL; Hunter Meade, jr., OL; Tavian Valentine, sr., RB; Rasheen Reaves, jr., RB; Joey Miller, jr., TE; Tyron Davis, so., QB; Dwayne Weimer, sr., DE; Kris Davis, sr., DT; Daikwon Laury, sr. DT; Dakotah Taylor, sr., LB.

What to know: Starke threw for 455 yards and rushed for 856, leading the Gladiators to a 6-4 record in 2014. He will return with the same starting five linemen in front of him in 2015. The Gladiators can run, but their pass game will be a work in progress due to inexperience at the wide receiver position.

PIKES PEAK

Air Academy

Coach: Mike Roof

2014 record: 2-8

Key players: Nate Renfrew, sr., RB; Bridger Waters, sr., WR; Grant Butler, sr., DE; Tabor Morse, sr., OLB; Jeremiah Ratliff, jr., DE; Orion O’Lonergan, jr., NG; Cale Powers, sr., QB/DB; Jake Raber, sr., QB/DB.

What to know: Roof says he believes his defense will be much improved from last season when it allowed 48.9 points per game. “It will be much better but there is a learning curve,” he said.

Liberty

Coach: Marc Sites

2014 record: 3-7

Key players: Hunter Wierenga, sr., QB; Ryder Cuppett, sr., WR; Dominik Romero, OL/ OLB; Jake Moore, sr. RB/DB; Tanner Woodard, sr., LB; Ben Corriea, sr., LB; Matt Kleine, sr., OL/DL; Matt VonSprecken, sr., WR/DB; Trevor Gifford, sr., TE/DL; Cole Pelt, jr., RB/LB; Emerson Collins, jr., RB/DB.

What to know: Wierenga had a middling 2015 season, throwing for 1,019 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The senior will look to improve on his 44 percent completion rate in 2014 as the Lancers try to keep their heads afloat in a tough Pikes Peak League.

Palmer Ridge

Coach: Tom Pulford

2014 record: 6-4

Key players: Isaiah Sanders, sr., QB; Sam Wells, sr. RB/ DB; George Silvanic, sr., DE/TE; Bailey Rosenstrauch, sr., DB/WR; Zac Alwais, sr., NG/FB; Collin Ambrose, sr., RB; Preston Seabloom, sr., LB; Chase Dukes, sr., LB.

What to know: The Bears should be improved on the offensive side of the ball. They bring back Sanders, who threw for 13 touchdowns and ran for another eight in 2014, and an experienced offensive line. It’s hard to say their record will reflect it, though, as they’ll still have to face the likes of Pine Creek and Rampart in league play.

Pine Creek

Coach: Todd Miller

2014 record: 14-0

Key players: JoJo Domann, sr., WR/DB; Kacin Nowlin, sr., LB; Jack Wibbels, sr., DE; Nathan Leithead, sr., LB; Brennan Hafer, sr., OL.

What to know: The Eagles are back-to-back state champions and look poised to make a run at their third-straight title with 27 returning seniors. Brock Domann takes over as quarterback and will be throwing to his brother JoJo, who verbally committed to Nebraska over the summer.

Rampart

Coach: Rob Royer

2014 record: 7-4

Key players: Joey Williams, jr., WR/SS; Clayton Hacker, sr., WR/OL; Parker Humphrey, sr., QB; Sam McKinley, sr., OL/DL; Adam Burtschi, jr., OL/DL.

What to know: Royer said he was pleased with Parker Humphrey’s offseason progression over the summer. With Rampart’s two top running backs and star receiver Donovan Oldham gone, Parker will need to improve on his junior season if the Rams hope to build off their 2014 record.

SOUTHERN

Coronado

Coach: Robb Wetta

2014 record: 7-4

Key players: Ryan Strabala, sr., DE/TE; Marquis Arrington, sr., RB/DB; Tyler Clark, so., RB/DB; Toby Smith, so., RB; Niko Portillo, jr., LB.

What to know: The Cougars lost their quarterback and top four rushers from last season’s 7-4 team. Now they’ll have to start over with a new coaching staff and philosophy. They’ll also have to start the season with heavy hearts after the death of a teammate in May.

Cheyenne Mountain

Coach: Willie Roberts

2014 record: 1-9

Key players: Sam Hellem, sr., LB; Marquise Joseph, sr., RB/CB; Matt Betterson, jr., QB/DB; Zac Baker, jr., LB/WR; Steven Hooks, jr., WR/LB.

What to know: Without enough players to continue, the Indians were forced to forfeit their last two games of the season last year. If they can be competitive and finish the season in its entirety this year, it would be quite a nice step forward for the Indians.

Palmer

Coach: Jeff Priestley

2014 record: 2-8

Key players: TJ Siffert, sr., FS; Jonathan Curti, sr., QB; David Grimaldo, sr., WR; Aaron Eurek, jr., RB; Scott Massen, sr., TE/MLB; Larry Black, sr., NG; Adonis Rufran, jr., WR; Anthony Grassi, jr., WR; Ethan Bunting, sr., RT; Dillon Tuminelli, jr., RG; Cainan Gostnell sr., C; Brady Simshauser, sr., LG; Sheldon Downs, sr., LT; Jaiden Brown, sr., CB

What to know: Priestley had his team climb the Manitou Incline over the offseason – how’s that for a team-building workout? The second-year coach said only some of the “bigger guys” on his team had trouble hiking up it. It was all in fun, though. “It proved to be a great moment,” he said.

BRENT W. NEW, THE GAZETTE